Clelin Ferrell

Clelin Ferrell's Biography

Born on May 17, 1997, Clelin Ferrell graced Richmond, Virginia, with his football prowess that bloomed from a young age and elevated him to the National Football League (NFL). As an overachiever, Ferrell continues to barrel through the perils of American professional football as a revered defensive end for the Washington Commanders. Over the years, he’s made significant contributions to teams like the Clemson Tigers, Las Vegas Raiders, and the San Francisco 49ers, etching his legacy in the annals of the sport while racking up accolades and invaluable experience.

A grad of Benedictine College Preparatory, a military-focused private academy back in his hometown, Ferrell’s love for football was tested at a young age when he endured a devastating ACL injury that caused him to miss his senior year. Despite this setback, he demonstrated his commitment to the sport by going ahead to commit to college football at Clemson three months before his injury.

During his time at Clemson, Ferrell’s career took a turn for the worse again. A hand injury threw a wrench into his playing time, leading to his redshirt in the 2015 season. However, it was in the grip of adversity that he came out swinging. In the following season, Ferrell took the field by storm, recording an impressive 50 tackles and six sacks to tie him for the co-defensive rookie of the year award with Dexter Lawrence.

Ferrell’s extraordinary journey continued its upward trajectory in 2017 when he was named first-team All-American. In 2018, he capped off an illustrious collegiate career by bagging the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Award credentials. His offensive onslaught is best demonstrated by the incredible tally hitting 53 tackles, 11.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. As a testament to his unrivaled prowess, he topped the ACC charts in sacks and tackles for that year.

The hard-hitting defensive end declared for the 2019 NFL draft at the end of the season, marking a critical step up his career ladder. He was snapped up fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders, a move that drew criticism given that Ferrell was perceived as a late first-round pick. Highly-rated defensive linemen such as Josh Allen and Ed Oliver were sidelined to secure him.

After inking a four-year rookie contract valued at a solid $31.2 million, Ferrell marked his NFL debut with the Oakland Raiders in a match against the Denver Broncos. He made his presence felt by contributing three tackles and recording his first sack on Joe Flacco in a nail-biting 24-16 win. His notable achievement included recording 8 tackles and sacking Philip Rivers 2.5 times in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. As he evolved in his career, Ferrell faced another hurdle when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November 2020 but returned to the field triumphantly later that month.

On the transaction front, Ferrell’s 2023 offseason was marked by the Raiders’ decision not to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract. Consequently, he became a free agent. His journey continued with a one-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, where he surged forth with his first forced fumble and recorded crucial sack wins.

As of March 2024, Ferrell is donning the jersey of the Washington Commanders, continually blazing the trail in the professional sports circuit. Off-the-field, Ferrell is the son of U.S. military veterans with a large family comprising four brothers and four sisters. However, tragedy struck in 2012 when he lost his father, Cleavester, to cancer. Grit, determination, and skill define Clelin Ferrell’s journey from the injury-riddled turf in Richmond to the high-stakes arenas of the NFL. His story is a firm testament to his resilience and undying love for American football.